What Does Matthew 9:36 Mean in the King James?
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Here, compassion is an inward movement toward the scattered, not a distant feeling about them.
THE MEANING
When you feel worn down or scattered, you are still seen by Jesus. He sees the crowd as sheep without a shepherd, and that sight moves him with compassion from within. Their need meets his attention, not their rejection.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that being exhausted or disoriented makes you less worthy of being seen; those are the very conditions Jesus notices with compassion.
THE ROOT
ἐσπλαγχνίσθη
esplanchnisthē
GROWS FROM
σπλαγχν-
The Greek stem for inward parts, the seat of visceral feeling and affection.
The word translated “compassion” grows from language for the inward parts: Jesus’ response is felt deeply within, not held at a distance. The same stem appears in words for inward affection and tenderheartedness, joining compassion to the heart’s response to another’s need.
ALSO GROWS
splánkhna: Inward parts; affections.
σπλάγχνα
This noun shows the bodily image underneath “compassion”: the response rises from within.
eúsplanchnos: Tenderhearted.
εὔσπλαγχνος
This related word describes a person by the same inward quality that moves Jesus here.
splagchnízomai: Be moved with compassion.
σπλαγχνίζομαι
This is the verb family used for Jesus’ response in this verse and when he sees other people in need.
THE PATTERN
Compassion toward people without guidance takes the shape of seeking, shepherding, and restoring them.
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.THE THREAD
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.Matthew uses the same Greek compassion verb in both verses. Here the crowd’s scattered condition moves Jesus inwardly; there, that same movement flows into healing.
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